Die Mannschaft’s encounter with Finland this evening (20:45 CEST) in Mönchengladbach will be their first match since the European Championships, and for both sides the final game before they begin their attempts of qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
It is an especially significant game for Mikael Forssell. The centre forward enjoyed the best spell of his career while playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach, and has been speaking about how much he is “looking forward to the game”, despite the fact he has been retired from international football since 2014 and hence will not feature on the pitch. In an interview with DFB.de, Forssell looks back on his time in Germany, why returning has been such a dream for him, and why Iceland’s remarkable achievements at Euro 2016 can be an example for his own nation.
DFB: Mr. Forsell, you have a very good reputation here in German, especially of course Mönchengladbach. But lately you have been off the radar somewhat. What are you up to these days?
Mikael Forssell: Firstly I’d like to thank you for your kind words. I am pleased that the fans in Germany have fond memories of me. Now I’m playing for HJK Helsinki again. It’s nice to be back here again. I left my home when I was 17 years old in order to play for Chelsea FC. In that time I had two small children. I am excited that I can watch them grow up here. We are supported well by the club. Everything fits together nicely.
DFB: What memories do you have of Germany?
Forssell: I love Germany. It was great to live there and be able to play football. Coming from Finland, I liked the typical German virtues of reliability and punctuality. It’s very similar to our way of life. It was like a dream come true for me to be able to move to Germany. I’m happy that I experienced it.
DFB: What was the highlight of your time in Germany?
Forssell: Without a doubt, the best phase of my footballing career in Germany was my time at Borussia Mönchengladbach. I also don’t want to forget my time in Hannover and Bochum. However, it’s not just about sport. I made good friends everywhere I went who I’m still in contact with. I hope it stays this way.
DFB.de: How intensely do you follow football in Germany?
Forssell: I watch it as often as I can. I want to know what’s happening in Germany. My ambition is to become a manager someday, perhaps in Germany. Nobody knows when that someday will happen. Therefore I try and pay attention to what’s happening as much as possible, not only in Germany, even though that is my priority.
Die Mannschaft’s encounter with Finland this evening (20:45 CEST) in Mönchengladbach will be their first match since the European Championships, and for both sides the final game before they begin their attempts of qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
It is an especially significant game for Mikael Forssell. The centre forward enjoyed the best spell of his career while playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach, and has been speaking about how much he is “looking forward to the game”, despite the fact he has been retired from international football since 2014 and hence will not feature on the pitch. In an interview with DFB.de, Forssell looks back on his time in Germany, why returning has been such a dream for him, and why Iceland’s remarkable achievements at Euro 2016 can be an example for his own nation.
DFB: Mr. Forsell, you have a very good reputation here in German, especially of course Mönchengladbach. But lately you have been off the radar somewhat. What are you up to these days?
Mikael Forssell: Firstly I’d like to thank you for your kind words. I am pleased that the fans in Germany have fond memories of me. Now I’m playing for HJK Helsinki again. It’s nice to be back here again. I left my home when I was 17 years old in order to play for Chelsea FC. In that time I had two small children. I am excited that I can watch them grow up here. We are supported well by the club. Everything fits together nicely.
DFB: What memories do you have of Germany?
Forssell: I love Germany. It was great to live there and be able to play football. Coming from Finland, I liked the typical German virtues of reliability and punctuality. It’s very similar to our way of life. It was like a dream come true for me to be able to move to Germany. I’m happy that I experienced it.
DFB: What was the highlight of your time in Germany?
Forssell: Without a doubt, the best phase of my footballing career in Germany was my time at Borussia Mönchengladbach. I also don’t want to forget my time in Hannover and Bochum. However, it’s not just about sport. I made good friends everywhere I went who I’m still in contact with. I hope it stays this way.
DFB.de: How intensely do you follow football in Germany?
Forssell: I watch it as often as I can. I want to know what’s happening in Germany. My ambition is to become a manager someday, perhaps in Germany. Nobody knows when that someday will happen. Therefore I try and pay attention to what’s happening as much as possible, not only in Germany, even though that is my priority.
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DFB: The new Bundesliga season has just started. Do you believe Bayern will win it again this year?
Forssell: Bayern are simply excellent. It will be hard for the other teams to knock them off their throne. Now Bayern have a new coach in Carlo Ancelotti so maybe they’ll need time to study their new system. Fundamentally I do think however that Bayern have the edge over the rest. They just have an amazing squad.
DFB: What are your thoughts on the recent success of the Germany national teams – winning both the World Cup in 2014 and the silver medal at the Olympics?
Forssell: It’s super. In both the national youth teams and the first team, Germany have great quality. I don’t think anyone has to worry about the future – Germany will be represented at the top of the world game.
DFB: Finland will soon play Germany, what’s possible for your country in this match?
Forssell: I’m not thinking about a victory to begin with. Perhaps Finland can get a draw – I think that’s possible. We recently got Hans Backe as our coach and I think that’s a positive move.
DFB: What do you make of Backe?
Forssell: I’m feeling optimistic. Hans Backe has a lot of charisma and believes in every player. In my experience that is a really positive thing. We need to bring back a good atmosphere.
DFB: Finland missed out on qualification for EURO 2016 by some way. The World Cup qualification games get underway soon. Do you think Finland has a chance to qualify?
Forssell: Our attempt to qualify for EURO 2016 was a disaster. Unfortunately nothing went right and so it can only get better. We have been put in a very strong group with the likes of Turkey, Kosovo, Crotia, Iceland and the Ukraine. Four teams from that group made it to the European Championships in France, with two of them making it to the knockout stages of the tournament. We’re therefore expecting it to be tough. But I think we definitely have a chance, otherwise we wouldn’t be competing.
DFB: Would the Iceland team be a good example in this regard?
Forssell: Yes, I think that’s a good comparison. Iceland showed at the Euros what is possible when you have a good plan and are well organised on the pitch.
DFB: Do the Fins dream of participating in a major tournament?
Forssell: Of course! But all of the other countries have the exact same target. We will have to work very hard. That begins with the youth teams as well, only then can we achieve what we want. We also have to believe in our chances. In football anything is possible.
